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London and Singapore named the top destinations for cash flowing into financial services

London and Singapore named the top destinations for cash flowing into financial services

Martin Keene/PA Images via Getty Images View of the City of London at dusk

London's financial services sector attracted more foreign investment last year than any of its global counterparts, according to a new report by the city's governing body.

The city's financial district secured more foreign direct investment (FDI) last year than eight other major hubs, according to a report from the City of London Corporation published Wednesday.

It said that London secured 55 FDI projects in 2017 â" more than twice the number of those received by New York and Frankfurt. An FDI project is generally an overseas investment into a new or existing project where the foreign investor secures majority-ownership.

Singapore first for total value

However, the total value of foreign investment into the city's financial services sector was Â£4.23 billion ($5.54 billion) last year â" placing the city in second place to Singapore, which received capital investments from overseas worth Â£4.73 billion.

Political tension

London's market continued to boom amid political tension, with financial services exports totalling Â£68 billion in 2017 â" more than New York and Singapore combined.

Catherine McGuinness, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, said the U.K.'s financial services distri ct was a "magnet" for foreign investors, helping to generate major capital projects â" long-term projects that help companies build or maintain assets such as facilities and equipment.

"The U.K. leads the world when it comes to exporting financial services and we have a number of strengths that appeal to investors," she said in a press release Wednesday.

"We cannot, however, afford to take this position for granted. Foreign investment flows can shift quickly so it is vital that we secure a positive Brexit deal that provides confidence and clarity for the sector. This will help to attract investment in the future of London and the U.K."

In June, the U.K.'s Department for International Trade published figures showing that foreign investment into the wi der U.K. economy fell by 9 percent between 2016/17 and 2017/18.

New investments were down by 5 percent, with mergers and acquisitions falling by 13 percent. The biggest overseas investor into the U.K. was the U.S., according to the department's report.

The City of London Corporation selected the world's top nine financial services destinations for its study.